Planning Framework for Managing N and P Discharges in Hurunui Catchment

1. Planning Framework for Managing N and P Discharges in Hurunui Catchment Options Paper for the Hurunui Waiau Zone Committee Lynda Murchison 22nd Septemeber 2014

2. Content • Planning for Discharges RMA 1991 • Suggested Principles • Suggested Planning Framework • Next Steps

3. Planning forDischarges RMA • A planmust achieve the purpose of the RMA • A planmust relate to the councils functions under the RMA • A planmust give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater (2014) and the Regional Policy Statement • A planmust take account of any iwi management plan –Te Mahere Whakahaere Taiao O Te Rūnanga O Kaikōura and the Ngāi Tahu Freshwater Policy • Under s32 RMA the Council must be satisfied that any objective is necessary and the provisions are the most appropriate way to achieve the objectives

4. Planning forDischarges under RMA cont... • Manage discharge of contaminants not allocate property rights • Focus on environmental effects • Manage environmental effects of human activities – not natural conditions • Cause & effect relationship • Consistencywhen managing activities with similar effects

5. Suggested Principles for Planning Framework • Manage N and P as contaminants; not allocate property rights. • Causal relationship between the amount of N or P from land uses and the degree of regulation. • Treat activities which have the same or similar effects consistently. • Everyone shall minimise their N and P losses using good management practices – ‘be a tidy kiwi.’ • N loss varies with soil type and rainfall. Every property needs to make reasonable use of the land given soil type and rainfall. • The plan will incentivise low N and P loss footprints and best practice, and encourage continual improvement in water quality over time. • Provide a transition period for people to reduce N or P losses using targets and timeframes which are reasonable. • Ongoing monitoring & review catchment water quality

6. Suggested Principles for Planning Framework • Manage N and P as contaminants; not allocate property rights. • Causal relationship between the amount of N or P and the degree of regulation. • That the plan will treat with similar effects consistently. • Everyone shall minimise their N and P losses by GMP – ‘be a tidy kiwi.’ • Every property needs to make reasonable use of the land given soil type and rainfall. • Incentivise low N and P losses & best practice, and encourage continual improvement in water quality over time. • Transition period for high loss activities. • Ongoing monitoring & review • Treat all land uses fairly& maintian maximum flexibility • Regulatory regime focus on actions on farm • Regime should be flexible to new information • Resonable timeframes to get to targets • Both regulator and land users need to provide accurate information • All contributors to the problem should contribute to the solution in accordance with their imact & avoid gaming • The degree of regulation = environmental impact • Industry Good Management Practcie • Long term certainty • Reliable catchment modelling • N management must consider soil type • Ecoli, P & sediment should not be managed using individual on-farm limits

7. Suggested Planning Framework

8. Key Concepts • A Band • Everyone operates to Good Management Practice • Discharges of N permitted activity if in A band • Keep OverseerTM records & redo if add water, cows, land under cultivation • B Band • All new activities that want to discharge N above A band limit • Existing activities discharging N within in B band limit • Demonstrate operating at MGM or Best Practicable Option • C Band • Existing users only who have current N losses above B band limit • Submit N reduction plan to move into B band over specified time

9. Next Steps • Investigate A band limits • Investigate B and C band limits & timeframes – working party? • P management based on FEPs • Refine Rule 10.1 so FEPs more targetted • On-going investigation & monitoring of water quality in Hurunui catchment